Tomorrow, head on out to a old favorite or a new spot for Bar AIDS 2008! Click here for a listing of participating bars. As I mentioned before, a group of friends and I will be M Lounge (1520 S. Wabash) for a joint event: Bar AIDS 2008 and a watch party for Barack Obama’s DNC speech.
If you don’t have any plans, come on out, join us, and drink for a great cause!
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Here’s another event designed to both save you money and donate to a charitable cause! On September 20th, you can head over to Macy’s for the 3rd Annual “Shop for A Cause” day. Various charitable organizations are selling $5 savings passes which allow you to save between 10-20 percent on store merchandise. 100% of proceeds from the passes will benefit the organizations. In the past two years, this event has helped to raise over $19 million!
Now, I’m not sure of all the participating organizations, but I know that the Chicagoland affiliate of Dress for Success is selling booklets. If you would like to support Dress for Success, send an e-mail to Laura Melcher at lauratmelcher@gmail.com.
If you aren’t able to purchase an advance booklet, just head to Macy’s on September 20th, and purchase the booklet then. The sales will benefit Macy’s national charities. For more information, head on over to Macys.com!
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One of my favorite things to do is mine thrift stores and vintage shops for jewelry, handbags, and the occasional sweater. Most people (including myself) usually only think of Goodwill or The Salvation Army as charity thrift stores, but I found a few others in the Chicagoland area!
Brown Elephant Resale Shops benefit the Howard Brown Health Centers in Chicago. The Howard Brown Health Center is the Midwest’s largest lesbian, gay, and bisexual health organization. There are currently two locations within Chicago:
5404 N. Clark (773) 271-9382
3651 N. Halsted (773) 549-5943
The White Elephant Resale Shop benefits Children’s Memorial Hospital in Lincoln Park.
2380 N. Lincoln (773) 883-6184
The Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop benefits Mount Sinai Hospital.
814 W. Diversey (773) 935-1434
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Be Bright Pink has partnered with Orbit White Bubblegum during the months of September and October to help fight breast cancer. Orbit is rolling out special edition versions of their Orbit White 12-packs and 60-packs with 10% of the purchase price benefitting Be Bright Pink.
For more information, please visit http://www.bebrightpink.org!
It’s hard to believe that Labor Day weekend is almost here! I mean, where in the world did summer go? It’s always sad to change seasons, but I am excited about some of the upcoming fall fashions. If you’re looking to update your wardrobe or beauty roster, head on over to Bloomingdale’s (900 N. Michigan Ave) next Wednesday (08/27) for their Shopping Benefit.
From 10a-10p, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy savings at Bloomie’s while also supporting some great causes. Tickets are $10 with a 100% of the proceeds benefitting participating organizations. There will be representatives from about 60 nonprofits there discussing their programs and answering any questions that you may have. The day will also include live entertainment, fashion events, cooking demonstrations, and plenty of savings!
Some of the day’s happenings include:
Did you know that guitar legend, Carlos Santana, has his own line of women’s shoes? If so, did you know that 10% of all shoes sales benefit the Milagro Foundation, founded by Santana and his wife, Deborah?
The Milagro (which means “miracles” in Spanish) Foundation is a charitable foundation which supports “underprivileged and underserved” children in the arts, education, and health by granting individual organizations and programs targeted towards this population.
Please visit the website (http://www.milagrofoundation.org) for more information.
Here are some of my favorite Santana shoes currently available on the website…
Catch, $99
Hotrod, $189
Bliss, $110
What do you all think of the picks above? Like them? For these shoes and more, visit http://www.carlosshoes.com!
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“What do you crave?” Whatever it is, I’m sure that you can find it at the CRAVE Chicago Summer Party on Sunday, September 7th! This shopping event will feature over 30 vendors featuring handbags, clothing, shoes, jewelry, gifts, so on and so on! Guests will also be treated to the following:
Next Thursday the 28th, grab your friends and head out to a local bar for the fifth anniversary of Bar AIDS in Chicago. During this event, participating bars will be donating a portion of the night’s proceeds to AIDSCare. There will be onsite educators spreading awareness about HIV/AIDS and also hosting a raffle. I’ve listed some of my favorite participating bars below…For the complete list, click here!
1520 S Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL
Zocalo Restaurant and Tequila Bar
358 W Ontario St
Chicago, IL
1565 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL
If you don’t have anyone to go out with, I’m heading over to M Lounge. You’re more than welcome to join our crew! Wherever you go, make sure that you have fun 
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Need to glamorize during the dog days of August? Head on over to Aniko Salon and Spa (1109 S. Wabash) for their Aniko GLAM Chicago event and watch stylists create couture hairstyles for models and complete the lookup with makeup and body paint. It will be held on Thursday, August 21st from 6-9p.
This event will benefit The Chicago Fashion Foundation, and attendees will be treated to cocktails, appetizers, gift bags, a live DJ, vendor displays, and much more! The event is free, but you are asked to donate an amount. If you’re interested in attending, please call 312-431-1573 and RSVP by this Friday, the 15th!
And, when you’re done, head on over to NV Penthouse Lounge (116 W. Hubbard) for the after-party!
Have fun!
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TFG Spotlight will highlight organizations or initiatives which demonstrate a strong commitment to philanthropy and charitable acts.
Last week, my blog life became overshadowed by my work life and I didn’t get to do as much blogging as I wanted. *cue the violins* One of the events that I wanted to talk about was the Summer Soiree hosted by the Young Professionals of Chicago (YPC) on Friday, the 8th. The Summer Soiree is one of YPC’s signature fundraisers, and the funds raised will help provide scholarships to Chicago high school students.
Young Professionals of Chicago, is a not-for-profit, all-volunteer organization that offers professional development, social networking, and philanthropic opportunities to those who join. According to their website, YPC members are expected to “get involved, have influence, and make a difference” not only in business settings but within their communities.
The Civic/Philanthropy committee makes sure that YPC members are involved with monthly volunteering opportunities with Chicago Cares, special volunteering opportunities (i.e. fundraisers), and YPC’s College Bound program. The College Bound program matches YPC members with high school seniors providing them with the chance to mentor and guide the youth as they prepare for college and the entire admission process.
In addition to the great volunteer efforts, YPC hosts networking/business development events such as CEO breakfasts, entrepreneur workshops, and much more! If you are interested in becoming involved with the Young Professionals of Chicago and their programs/events, please visit their website at ypchicago.org!
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